Ghoulish Treats for a Healthy Halloween

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Trick or treat?

The perfect Halloween party doesn't have to include homemade candied apples or decorative Tombstone cookies. In fact, it's easy to turn your favorite appetizers into Halloween treats—pigs-in-a-blanket can turn into zombie fingers, and fruit punch can turn into ghoul's blood. Use these tips to put a creative spin on your fall favorites.

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Spiced apple cider

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Not only is this drink the perfect way for adults to start a long night of trick-or-treating, but it has less than 200 calories per serving. Take out the apple brandy and you have a delicious kid-friendly beverage. Serve it from the Dutch oven and call it witch's brew. Don't be afraid to put broomstick pieces (cinnamon sticks) into each mug!

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All-American Chili

Randy Mayor

If you're on candy duty at your house, make a huge pot of this hearty chili to hand out to parents walking with trick-or-treaters. Or, if you serve it at a party, put it in a cast iron pot and call it monster guts. And you can enjoy it while still saving room for goodiesthis recipe uses turkey sausage and lean ground sirloin, plus plenty of tomatoes and fiber-rich beans.

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Monster Eyes

Oxmoor House

These cheesy, savory bites are fun and easy to assemble. Using four simple ingredientsbaking mix, sausage, cheese, and pimento-stuffed olivesyou'll have a fun and flavor-packed appetizer in no time. To lighten up the recipe, use low-fat cheese and turkey or chicken sausage. And they're delicious with chili... or should we say monster guts.

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Pumpkin Dip

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Wow your guests by serving this dip in a mini pumpkin. They'll never know that it's a cinch to throw together last minute. And even though pumpkin tastes sweet, it's a health powerhouse, containing a hefty dose of vitamin A and fiber. The recipe calls for apple slices, but if you want to really impress your guests, use this clever idea: Cut apples into thin vertical slices and place a sliced almond on each one, using the dip as glue. Voila, you have "fingers ready to be devoured!

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Little Monster Cupcakes

Mark Thomas

These friendly-looking sweets are the perfect end to a Halloween feast. Follow this recipe to make your own, or, in a time crunch, buy the boxed mix and simply decorate them yourself. If you have little helpers, this is perfect way to get them involved in the kitchen.

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